In May 2012, 37 people representing 27 centres in 16 countries on five continents gathered together at the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland for the International Holistic Centres Gathering. Together we explored our unity in diversity, shared about our work and service in the world, exchanged ideas, challenges and experience. It was a time of learning from one another, in the spirit of supporting the planetary transformation that is unfolding in the world.
The Findhorn Foundation is a spiritual community, an international centre for holistic learning and an ecovillage, helping to unfold a new human consciousness and create a positive and sustainable future. Each year the Gathering moves from one centre to another, and is a unique opportunity for a meeting of peers to enjoy friendship and connection, experience the host centre and become ambassadors for each others centre too.
Here you can read about the different representatives of the 2012 Gathering and connect with their unique centres.
EUROPE – EAST AND WEST
Finca Tierra, Canary Islands – Brigitte Maine Rothholz
Founded in 1999, 4 – 6 residents, offers workshops in holistic healing, personal grow, bodywork, and personal retreats.
Cortijo Romero, Spain – Alan Dale
Established in 1986, offers holidays embracing a journey of celebration, healing, restoration, learning and the greatest possible expression of human potential.
Representing Kalikalos, Greece – Dorota Owen and Roger Doudna
Dedicated to demonstrating the power of authentic community as a vehicle for building a new holistic world of peace and sustainability.
Zegg, Germany – Markus Euler
Began in 1991, developing and implementing practical models for a socially and ecologically sustainable way of living.
Grundstein-Neukirchen, Baltic Sea, Germany – Michel Van Amsterdam
Founded in 2001, a non-profit association of artists, educators, therapists and craftsmen dedicated to a variety of ways of experiential and holistic education.
The Center of Healing Love, Poland – Tanna Jakubowicz-Mount
A model of sustainable community built on the principles of deep democracy and the sacred medicine wheel.
Kitezh Children’s Community, Russia –
Dmitry Morozov, Max Anikeev and Zhenya Ryazhskaya
Founded in 1992 on the principles of therapeutic education and personal development. Kitezh is a non-profit partnership of foster families who adopt orphaned children into their families, raise them together in the community and educate them at the Kitezh school.
UK
Newbold House, Scotland – Christopher Raymont
A workshop and sustainability education centre ‘developing, practicing and sharing skills for sustainable living, in harmony with ourselves, each other and the earth’.
Ecologia, Scotland – Liza Hollingshead
Founded in 1988, an international charity supporting youth and environment initiatives, linking many organisations with the Findhorn Community, particularly from Russia.
The Beshara School, Scotland – Aliya Ryan and Maria Young
Established in 1971. Provides courses in self-knowledge, according to the principle of the unity of existence. Self-knowledge is key to understanding this unity and our place within it.
Network News, Wales – Peter Andrew
Founded in 1992, a communication hub for all those who “share a vision of a whole and humane world”.
The Chrysalis Centre, Ireland – Sinead O’Loughlin
Opened in 1989. One of the longest established and leading residential holistic retreat centres in Ireland, a place for reflection and spiritual renewal.
SCANDINAVIA
The House in the Centre, Denmark – Johanne Burgemann
Founded in 1992, a small esoteric school based on the teachings of Alice Bailey, which runs educational programs and shorter courses, offers talks and Darshan.
AFRICA
International Peace Initiatives, Kenya – Karambu Ringera
Began in 2002, IPI provides Homes for orphans and vulnerable children, supports African grassroots organizations and community leaders, and provides trainings in peace education and conflict resolution.
ASIA
Auroville, India – Ambre Solace
Founded in the mid 60’s, Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world.
Social Policy Ecology Research Institute, Vietnam – Tuan Trong Dam
Founded in 2006, SPERI works toward a society where indigenous ethnic minorities have equal access to social justice, gender equity, natural resources and fair social economic systems.
The Participatory Development Training Center, Laos –
Chanthalangsy Sisouvanh
PADETC began 20 years ago, helping Lao people solve their own problems in ways that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.
AUSTRALIA
Mangrove Yoga Ashram, Australia – Yogasandhan Saraswati
Offering yogic studies to help support the unfolding of physical health, mental peace and spiritual understanding.
AMERICAS – USA AND CANADA
New York Open Center, USA – Ralph White
Founded 1984, the world’s largest urban center for holistic learning. It presents over five hundred programs annually, in five primary disciplines: spirituality and world religions, health and wellness, psychology and inner development, social and ecological transformation, and creativity and the arts.
Kalani Oceanside Retreat, Hawaii – Tiki DeGenaro
Began in 1975, the staff at Kalani Oceanside Retreat are guided by the Hawaiian tradition of `ohana’, the extended family, respecting our diversity yet sharing in unity. This, in accord with the vital, natural environment, attunes each person to harmony with self, others and the world.
Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon – Tom Robinson and Peter Moore
Began in 1977, welcome 20,000+ guests per year. A safe and potent environment where people can renew and evolve in ways they never imagined.
Divination Foundation, Oregon – Paul O’Brien
Online community to demonstrate the use of spiritual tools that help people be in harmony with their higher selves.
Esalen Institute, California – Cheryl Fraenzl
Founded in 1962 as a major catalyst in the transformation of humankind, working with individuals and institutions to integrate body, mind, heart, spirit and community in a nurturing relationship with the environment.
Harbin Hot Springs, California – Eme Le Cavalier and Rosemary Cordova
Welcome 80,000 guests per year. Dedicated to stewardship of the sacred land and waters; spiritual development; awareness and acceptance of self and others.
Indralaya, Washington – Minor Lile and Leonie Van Gelder
Founded in 1927, based on the Theosophical Society. Guests are encouraged to live in cooperative harmony with nature and each other, experiencing the interconnectedness of all forms of life while exploring individual pathways to wholeness.
The Haven, British Columbia, Canada – Rachel Davey
Founded in 1983, offers programs for personal and professional growth and development. People leave The Haven with skills to be fully alive, have healthy relationships and communicate effectively.
Wandering Dao, Canada – Daniel Li
Based on Qi Gong, not located anywhere. Offering an intelligible system and pragmatic means to awaken ones inherent self-healing potential.
Lila Schwair, Sibylle Rhovier and Juan Manuel Martin also attended, representing their own individual centres.
Tom Robinson says
I am filled with gratitude for the wealth of knowledge, inspiration, connection, and friendship I carry forward from this year’s Centers Gathering to share with my community at Breitenbush. Thank you Findhorn Foundation, Christine and John for so skillfully and gracefully holding the space! Thank you, my fellow participants for sharing your knowledge, your wisdom and your hearts!
Rachel Davey says
I am finally back home here at The Haven and so appreciative of all the people I met at the Centres Gathering and for Christine, John and the Findhorn community for their gracious welcome and hosting. Looking forward to next year at Esalen already!
Chanthalangsy Sisouvanh says
It was very great time for me with this gathering. i am back home with fully inspiration from all of you. Thank you Christine and all my friends to gave me chance sharing with you.
Lîla Schwair says
I feel very grateful having had the opportunity to meet you all and to learn so much from you! Thank you John and Christine for all the work and love you have put into this Gathering. Hope to see you all soon! Blessings, Lîla